Abstract
The programme of research examined the emotional responses following injury in recreational level rugby union players; to develop and provide initial validation of a population specific frequency scale of the emotional responses following mJury experienced by recreational level rugby union players. Adherence to mJury rehabilitation treatment is considered a great challenge for rehabilitation professionals, with several studies reporting high dropout rates which can have a major financial impact on the health service. It has been widely suggested that the emotional responses following injury can have a major impact on an individual's behavioural response, such as rehabilitation adherence, however empirical studies exploring the emotional response following injury, particularly in relation to recreational level athletes are extremely limited.This thesis consisted of four studies; the first used a longitudinal, prospective, design to explore the emotional responses following injury in recreational level rugby union players. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis as the method of analysis, semi structured interviews of injured recreational level rugby union players took place at three distinct stages of the injury period. The findings highlighted the transient nature of the emotional response, with a number of emotions and factors thought to influence the emotional response discussed that have not been reported previously. In addition, the interviews suggested that the appraisal of the emotional response can influence the behavioural response, including rehabilitation adherence levels. Study 2 expanded on these findings; using multiple focus groups of UK NHS chartered physiotherapists. These explored physiotherapists' perceptions of the emotional responses experienced by recreational level rugby union players when injured, the impact that they have on players emotional responses and their perceptions of the relationship between the emotional and behavioural response. Studies 3 and 4 provided exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of a 52 item, 7 subscale Emotional Responses to Rugby. Union Injury Scale. Using the new scale as a population specific measure of emotional responses following injury, moderated hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated the main effects influence of both social support and perceived injury severity on the emotional response following injury. However, the stress-buffering hypothesis of social support was not supported.
Whilst further research is needed, this programme of research provided support and extended Wiese-Bjomstal, Smith, Shaffer and Morrey's (1998) Integrated model of injury response. A population specific measure of emotional responses has been considered an essential requirement to enhance the knowledge for many years. With the development of the ERRUIS, future research could explore the relationship between the emotional and behavioural response following injury with larger samples.
| Date of Award | Aug 2014 |
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| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Gareth Roderique-Davies (Supervisor) & Bev John (Supervisor) |